I just purchased a new WRX (FINALLY!!) and I am looking into the Cobb Access port. My main concern is to not void my warranty. I know that with Cobb you can always upload the original map that the car comes with so the settings will look the same. I spoke with a Cobb employee because I want to know if it will leave "cookies" or some other tracable mark behind. I know the stage 1 map with cobb will be fine for my engine and turbo because it is still below STI levels but I know the dealership won't feel the same. I also know that some dealerships actually offer the Cobb Access port as an option. Does anyone know if the dealership can see if I changed the tunning once the original settings are back? Any help on the matter would be great! Thanks!

Nothing can just void your warranty, S.O.A. Has to prove that the aftermarket part you installed was the cause of whatever failed. In other words if your heater stops working they can't deny the claim because you have an aftermarket E.M. Installed. Since you can change it back to stock it would be very hard for them to prove that it was the E.M. That caused a problem even if your motor blew. It's all in how much your willing to fight a denied claim?

Nothing can just void your warranty, S.O.A. Has to prove that the aftermarket part you installed was the cause of whatever failed. In other words if your heater stops working they can't deny the claim because you have an aftermarket E.M. Installed. Since you can change it back to stock it would be very hard for them to prove that it was the E.M. That caused a problem even if your motor blew. It's all in how much your willing to fight a denied claim?

They don't have to prove it, they just have to show reasonable doubt (meaning all they have to do is say that X part is somehow linked to Y mod and potentially could have caused it) or they can link mods to the driver 'abusing' the car.

They don't have to prove it, they just have to show reasonable doubt (meaning all they have to do is say that X part is somehow linked to Y mod and potentially could have caused it) or they can link mods to the driver 'abusing' the car.

Here is a link to the SEMA website on what they have to say on the issue. Hope this helps clear things up.

Yes, I know about this. However, as the owner of a modified Subaru and a former Subaru service adviser, I've been on both sides of it If you're denied warranty work because of mods, SOA never "reviews" denied cases (they honestly don't care) and your only recourse is to take them to court. Are you willing to sue, and likely lose, over a $500 repair? In most cases you can't single out an exact cause of failure (ie a dead motor), so mods are a reasonable attribute for what caused it, which is where my reasonable doubt statement comes in. And again, there is always the abuse trump card.

I think I'm going to have to agree with brfatal on this one. I am not willing to go to court and sue someone over a few hundred dollars because the court fees and lawyer fees will cost more than I get in return. Yesterday, I spoke with the manager of the dealership where I purchased my car to discuss canceling my extended warranty. He said I should keep the warranty and get get the Cobb AP and then swap it back to the old map when/if I bring it in. He said "we never look for it". Obviously I'm not an idiot that is going to listen to a car salesman who wants to keep his $1500 for the warranty. I told him that if he can give me in writing a statement that sys they will honor my warranty with this aftermarket item then I would purchase it through them. This way everyone wins. The dealership gets an extra $100 and I get more power and torque with the warranty. He has yet to give me an answer

Snowboarder2587, I would keep it personally. Mine more than paid for itself despite my mods. I was lucky, to a degree, because it was a mod friendly dealership. Why my 1st engine failure claim was denied coverage (yanked it from the dealership, took it to a speed shop, and found the oil pump was at fault not my parts), I did get new struts (even with JDM STI springs) and a rear diff covered.

The Magnuson-Moss Act was written to protect people who went places other than the dealership for services such as oil changes or who did self-wrenching from being denied warranty. It was not intended to protect people who mods their cars as we do.

Just go in knowing that with modding it could potentially cost you money in repairs down the line. That way you won't be so disappointed if it does. And if you do go in for warranty work, be honest if they ask what's done to the car. Not all techs are so stupid that they can't tell you uninstalled or tried to hide your mods.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowboarder2587

I told him that if he can give me in writing a statement that sys they will honor my warranty with this aftermarket item then I would purchase it through them.

Unfortunately they can't do this (toss it in the trash if they try to). While they can make this guarantee with smaller repairs, if the cost of the warranty service is above a certain point they will have to get a Subaru rep to come look over the car and approve it as Subaru of America are the ones paying for it. If that's the case, the dealership has no input on whether or not you get your car covered.

I think I'm going to have to agree with brfatal on this one. I am not willing to go to court and sue someone over a few hundred dollars because the court fees and lawyer fees will cost more than I get in return

I would go to court over a couple hundred dollars if I knowim wright. Depends on the situation, if I feel it's a matter of prince able then he'll yeah see your ass in court. Everybody knows if you win the case you also get all the court and associated fees. As far as warranty claims it just depends on the people you deal with, i got my first clutch replaced at stage 2 alot of people get denied clutches when still stock because of the good ole abuse card.